Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 857, Section 67: Guidance
After agreeing on the future division of interests in Dogtown, although Hansen is still stubbornly resisting the new US president and shows no signs of weakness, Carl and Hanz have tacitly regarded him as a non-existent person.

Because it's clear to everyone that Hansen only has two paths ahead of him:
He could either submit to the new America—in which case he might survive, but Dogtown would no longer belong to him;

He could either persist in the fight—frankly, the odds were slim, and if he failed, he would surely die, and Dogtown would still change hands.

Theoretically, there might be a third path: Hansen could actually defeat Rosalind Miles, but that path is fraught with difficulties and is by no means easy. Moreover, even if one were to reach the end, it might not be a viable route.

In any case, once the new US president falls in this power struggle, the ensuing chaos will be enough to devastate the entire Dogtown. At that point, even if Hansen miraculously survives, Carl and Hanz will only need to give him a gentle push.

Dogtown is still Dogtown—only when it's truly in your own hands can you feel at ease.

Originally, Carl had no intention of getting involved in this mess. He just happened to accept a commission to find clues and go deep into Dogtown, and he also happened to have this conversation with Hans. After thinking it over, he suddenly felt that the town in front of him had become a bit of an eyesore.

After all, the chaos and infighting he witnessed when he first arrived in Dogtown were still vividly etched in his memory.

Compared to the revitalized Taiping State of today, Dog Town is more like a stubborn scab – not a major threat, just a minor ailment, but if it's always there, it's hard to ignore.

Carl wanted change. Since other parts of the city were starting to change, why shouldn't Dogtown change too?
Hansen's Dogtown, the King of Dogtown—it sounds so impressive and cool, but Carl feels...
It's still not as good as Dogtown in Night City. Dogtown in Taiping State sounds reasonable and comfortable.

"I will disclose all the information I have here to you."

Hanz said, "Hansen's recent actions have been very unusual. He is drawing on the most elite members of the Ghost Hounds. Although he is hiding it very well, I have still found some clues. He has sent those people out of Dogtown in batches to carry out various missions."

Upon hearing about elite personnel carrying out a mission, Karl immediately thought of the underground biotechnology ecological park laboratory and his eyes sharpened: "Personnel transferred? How many exactly? Where did they go?"

“The exact number is unknown, but at least three complete tactical squads have completely disappeared since last week.” Hans tapped his fingers lightly on the table. “No communication records, no logistical supply requests, they’ve vanished as if they’ve evaporated into thin air. What’s even stranger is that even my men can’t find out who their commanders are—which is almost impossible in Dogtown.”

Oliver frowned: "Even Hansen's confidants don't know?"

“That’s the most disturbing part.” Hans’s voice was almost inaudible. “There are probably no more than five people who know the truth. My people in Gemstone reported that all the relevant orders were issued by Hansen himself, bypassing the regular chain of command. There were no written records, no electronic archives, it was all passed down orally.”

Jack crossed his arms, deep in thought: "This sounds just like that mysterious team we've been tracking—professional, secretive, and leaving no trace."

“That’s it.” Oliver compared the similarities between the two. “Well-equipped, well-trained, and secretive—and it just so happens that Hansen was secretly mobilizing elite troops. This can’t be just a coincidence.”

Karl pondered for a moment, then asked, "Hans, what common characteristics do those people who were transferred have?"

“Good question.” Hanz nodded. “Most of them are veterans recruited by Hansen from the new American forces. The new American soldiers under his command are not only the batch he brought out back then, but also countless disillusioned veterans who have been ‘forced’ to retire and come to his old comrade-in-arms for a job.”
Those men all underwent simulated training during the attack on Night City, and they are skilled in urban warfare and covert operations. More importantly—" He paused deliberately, "they all have one thing in common: they are organized, disciplined, and professionally trained soldiers." "In other words," Karl continued thoughtfully, "that these men place greater emphasis on orders and operational procedures than ordinary hounds?"

He recalled the incomplete communication records he had seen, and upon careful consideration, he realized that the reports did indeed have a sense of standardization, as if they were already accustomed to that reporting style—if they were truly written by a professionally trained former soldier, then everything would make sense.

"That's how it is."

Hans said, "These men are pure soldiers who only care about orders and efficiency. Hansen mobilized them to carry out no ordinary security mission."

He pulled up an encrypted file, and the image was projected onto the center of the table, showing the files of several soldiers with cold expressions and equipment that was clearly superior to ordinary ghost hounds.

“I used a lot of resources to capture a few pieces of information. The last faint signal from one of the teams pointed to the edge of Taiping State, the entrance to Dog Town, and their equipment list included a high-frequency signal jammer and a deep geological scanner.”

Hans looked up, his gaze sweeping over Carl and Jack. Oliver said, "These things aren't meant to be used against street gangs or New America personnel."

Upon hearing this crucial information, Oliver abruptly turned to Carl: "Shielding, deep scanning, biotechnology labs—the directions match."

"It seems we've really caught them this time."

Carl's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table as all the clues raced through his mind. It really was Hansen who did it.

There is clearly only one reason why Hansen did such a thing: he was not putting up a last-ditch effort, but was doing something in secret, and his ultimate goal was probably to defeat Rosalind Miles.

“He deployed his elite troops, blocked information, and even went so far as to create an information blockade within his own ranks,” Karl said slowly, his eyes gradually clearing. “Hans, we need more: their specific destination, their timeline, and any possible communication points.”

Hans gave a knowing smile: "I'm already following up, but getting to the core will take time and more direct intervention, and that requires your guidance."

"what do you mean?"

“I have people in the Ghost Hounds, but their skill level is limited, so they need some help. I would like KK to guide them, which would be an honor for them.”

As Hans spoke, he placed a list of three people in front of Karl and the others; he was clearly prepared for this.

(End of this chapter)